Introduction
Rape is primarily the product of social interaction, in which a person acquires an excessive assault drive. It is frequently done with the use of force and, on rare occasions, with the help of harmful tools (Wilson & Miller, 2016). Although epidemiological research indicates that both males and females are assaulted, females are at a far higher risk of assault. The paper analyses two rape cases, identifying the unique issues for each and providing treatment options for the victims.
Main Differences between the Two Rape Victims
The two victims experience different aspects after the rape cases. Considering the female victim is raped by their husband, she will get afraid about becoming pregnant due to the assault (Russell & Hand, 2017). Emergency contraception should be administered if she seeks medical attention within a few hours of the sexual assault and for up to five days afterward. On the other hand, the male victim assaulted by a stranger in the washroom will not have a fear of pregnancy, and there will be no need to take contraceptives.
Furthermore, the male who has been sexually attacked will have the same impact as other survivors of rape. He may confront additional obstacles that are unique to his scenario. He will experience shame or self-doubt because he believes he should have been tough enough to fight off the perpetrator. These physiological responses do not imply that he desired, invited, or appreciated the assault in any manner. If something terrible happens to him, he should understand that it is not his fault. Unlike the female, he will not have the feeling of fighting back because he will feel ashamed due to his ego; instead, depression will be his disadvantage.
Contrary to the man’s scenario, marital rape is common, bringing abused women health problems, agony, and grief. Children in homes where marital rape happens often suffer from the psychological impact of seeing violence, as well as the fact that it can jeopardize their mother’s capacity to care for them. She may also be afraid to speak up for fear of being humiliated, making her unable to stop the abuse or prevent the harmful consequences for herself and her children. This could be owing to a family or community’s tolerance of marital rape and other types of violence against her or because she lacks the confidence, skills, or means to support herself financially.
Unique Issues Each Client Faces in Dealing with Trauma
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect clients confronted with traumatic life scenarios. Different significant concerns that frequently arise were identified (Pinciotti & Orcutt, 2017). The first is distress, anxiety, and arousal issues that were not evident before the event. For example, the man who has been sexually assaulted will have problems with sexual functioning, such as low sexual desire or erectile dysfunction, which will impair his self-esteem and feeling of manhood and his intimate relationships. Additionally, the woman goes through the agony of being raped, and the aftermath can be nearly as horrific as the crime itself.
The lady may be apprehensive for months or even years after the rape and fear a relationship with the rapist. She may have unexpected flashbacks or dreams in which she is forced to relive the painful event. Even when they are capable of climaxing, victims usually experience the lower pleasure of intimacy activities after the assault. Another subsequent research of victims of rape found that one-quarter of the women did not feel they had recovered psychologically six years after the attack (Pinciotti & Orcutt, 2017). In addition, women who had PSTD were twice as likely to have a depressive condition and three times as likely to develop future liquor issues.
General Treatment Goals
Many persons in distress believe that no one understands their situation and that they are not taken seriously. It is imperative to give the man complete attention to show him how important he is. Many survivors find it difficult to report assault or abuse, especially if they are afraid of not being believed due to masculinity stereotypes. When treating the woman, the counselor should refrain from making overly optimistic statements such as “it will get better” or attempting to control her emotions. Moreover, addressing concerns should be in place; if a victim decides to disclose that information, it is important to listen in a nonjudgmental and sympathetic manner. Finally, the establishment of an adequate resources supply goal should be defined. Other characteristics of a man’s life may hinder his capacity to obtain resources and help after being sexually assaulted or abused. Trans-males, for example, may experience challenges getting medical treatment, whereas black men may be hesitant to approach law enforcement. A counselor should be aware of these concerns and recommend the best resources to help the victim.
Treatment Approaches
Firstly, there should be an implementation of an assertive approach: Anxiety is combated by therapy. The assault survivor lowers anxiety and creates more precise adapting mechanisms by practicing assertive replies. Victims of violence are so afraid of assertions that they do not communicate and instead develop emotions of hatred and absence. Assertiveness training may be beneficial for different women, assisting them in overcoming their severe perspective of vulnerability and helplessness following the assault and motivating them to continue their previous individual behavior.
The second method is systematic desensitization, which can be thought of as a counter-conditioning process or de-conditioning. This treatment is beneficial in removing rape victims’ worries or phobias. Individuals learn to contract and relax their muscles through relaxation training, which begins with the ankles and feet and progresses to expose them to the fearful event, in either their thinking or in fact. Third, the behavior of the rational emotive treatment approach should be incorporated; the therapy claims that people’s emotional disturbances are caused by what they believe about situations they confront, not the issue itself. Counseling is effective in reducing the cognitive symptoms and emotions that assault victims suffer from.
The fourth option is group treatment; it is beneficial in addressing the issues of rejection, loneliness, isolation, and the power to produce effective relationships. Clients can sort out their difficulties in front of others, see how people act to their behavior, and exercise different answers in group therapy. Finally, crisis intervention is a vital part of the victims’ healing process (Meichenbaum, 2017). It entails creating a rapport with the service delivery team and short-term evaluation team and avoiding a crisis.
The Best Treatment for Each Client
Group therapy is likely to work best for the female victim. The ability to create meaningful relationships will be a result of group therapy. The couple will sort out their difficulties in front of others, observe how people react to their behavior, and exercise different answers in group therapy. For the male victim, systematic desensitization treatment should be incorporated to remove worries or phobias. Additionally, he will learn to contract and relax his muscles in any event without fear.
Conclusion
As analyzed above, the victims require rapid assistance to survive the trauma and return to everyday life. Rape is more than just unwanted sex; it is a painful event comparable to other significant traumas. Psychological illnesses that rape victims suffer from include anxiety and mood disorders. As a result, counseling psychologists must become familiar with psychological strategies that may be utilized to support rape victims mentally.
References
Meichenbaum, D. (2017). Stress inoculation training: A preventative and treatment approach. In D. Meichenbaum. The Evolution of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (pp. 101-124). Routledge.
Pinciotti, C. M., & Orcutt, H. K. (2017). Understanding gender differences in rape victim-blaming: The power of social influence and just world beliefs. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(1-2). Web.
Russell, K. J., & Hand, C. J. (2017). Rape myth acceptance, victim blame attribution and Just World Beliefs: A rapid evidence assessment. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 37, 153-160. Web.
Wilson, L. C., & Miller, K. E. (2016). Meta-analysis of the prevalence of unacknowledged rape. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 17(2), 149-159. Web.